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      When is Arsenal’s next Premier League game, is it on TV? Stream FREE, kick-off time, team news

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      ARSENAL get their Premier League campaign back underway next week against West Ham. The Gunners are top of the league, having started the season brilliantly under Mikel Arteta.
      William Saliba has been excellent in defence for Arsenal this season
      But they were dealt a blow during the World Cup as Gabriel Jesus was ruled out of action for months with a knee injury.
      And it remains to be seen whether Bukayo Saka will be ready for action following England’s exit from the World Cup in Qatar.
      West Ham have had an inconsistent start to the season themselves but will see this as the perfect opportunity to try and beat a potentially dishevelled Arsenal side.
      When is Arsenal vs West Ham?

      Arsenal vs West Ham will take place on Boxing Day – Monday, December 26.
      Emirates Stadium will play host to the clash.
      The game will kick off at 8pm UK time.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Arsenal’s clash with West Ham will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video.
      You can live stream the action from the Amazon Prime Video app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Can I watch for FREE?
      Yes, you can watch the game for free by signing up to an Amazon Prime Video free trial, which is valid for 30 days.
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      Team news
      Gabriel Jesus is out of action for three months for Arsenal due to a knee injury sustained at the World Cup with Brazil.
      But other than that, Arteta has reported no injury concerns regarding his other players at the World Cup.
      “I don’t have any concerns. They have assessed really well and they will be training for us in the next few days so hopefully they will be ready,” he said.
      They came back [to the club] straight away into the rhythm, shape and mood of the team.
      “We are waiting for them and they are desperate to be back as well. I’ve spoken to both of them — Martinelli was here on Saturday: a big smile, big energy and ready to go again.
      “It’s going to be a big boost for the team.”
      Odds

      Arsenal – 40/85
      Draw – 10/3
      West Ham – 5/1

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      Why did Lionel Messi leave Barcelona for PSG?

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      LIONEL Messi is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of his generation.After playing in Barcelona’s first team since 2004, he left in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain. Here’s what we know about the transfer.
      Lionel Messi played for Barcelona’s first team from 2004 to 2021, after joining the youth team in 1999
      Why did Messi leave Barcelona?
      In the summer of 2021, Barcelona faced a difficult situation.
      The Spanish club needed to make cuts of more than $200million just to be able to re-sign Messi.
      Clubs across Europe had seen revenue reduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning the La Liga team was unable to hold on to their star player.
      Despite Messi offering to take a pay cut, Barcelona could not agree new terms with the player due to La Liga’s salary cap rules,
      READ MORE ON MESSI
      Messi’s contract expired in June 2021, with the debt-ridden club unable to finalise a new one.
      With the expiration of his contract, Barcelona’s all-time top goal scorer was left without a club and the five-times European champions without their star player.
      La Liga rules introduced in 2013 means that clubs have a floating salary cap.
      This is decided for the individual teams by calculating the club’s revenues and total expenditure from debt repayments to operational costs.
      Most read in Football
      The World Cup 2022 winner signed with PSG in August 2021.
      Will Messi go back to Barcelona?
      It remains to be seen if Messi will ever return to the club in which he made his name, partially because he still has time left on his current PSG contract.
      Messi initially signed a two-year contract with the French side, meaning it will expire in July 2023.
      Staying in the French capital is reportedly his preference for now at least.
      The club’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, previously suggested holding talks with Messi over a contract extension after he returned from the World Cup.
      Barcelona president Joan Laporta has made no secret that he wants their former captain to return to Camp Nou, saying the club will always be his home.
      David Beckham’s MLS outfit Inter Miami are also said to be interested in the player, with the team claiming to be confident of agreeing a deal.
      What is Lionel Messi’s net worth?
      Messi’s net worth is believed to be around £600million.
      Read More on The Sun
      This is boosted by lots of worldwide marketing deals, including with brands such as Adidas and Pepsi.
      Since leaving Barcelona in 2021, it is believed that Messi earns around £700,000 a week with PSG. More

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      Man City vs Liverpool: Stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for massive Carabao Cup match-up

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      MANCHESTER CITY take on Liverpool in the next round of the Carabao Cup. Erling Haaland will be ready to unleash himself, having been out of action all throughout the World Cup.
      Riyad Mahrez scored a free-kick in Man City’s Carabao Cup win over ChelseaCredit: AFP
      Mohamed Salah and Co are coming off wins against AC Milan and Lyon during the winter break.
      City beat Chelsea in the last round while Liverpool overcame Preston on penalties in what was a tense clash.
      But now the two titans of English football will duel for a chance to play in this season’s quarter-finals.
      When is Man City vs Liverpool?
      Man City vs Liverpool will take place on Thursday, December 22.
      The game will be held at the Etihad Stadium.
      Kick-off is at 8pm GMT.
      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
      Man City’s big clash with Liverpool will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
      You can live stream the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go app, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      Most read in Football
      Team news
      Erling Haaland will be available to play after featuring in their 2-0 win over Girona.
      But his strike partner Julian Alvarez will come back a little later, having won the World Cup with Argentina.
      “At the moment, we have four or five players, and we will have to wait and see how the others come back,” said Guardiola.
      “But we just don’t have players because the big brains of football decided this schedule and we are going to play this game (against Liverpool).
      “Some players are coming back now and in the next few days and step by step, they will re-join their team-mates here.
      “People are coming back soon. Nathan, Aymer, and Rodri, and later the players from the England and Portugal teams.”
      Odds

      Man City – 10/11
      Draw – 14/5
      Liverpool – 5/2

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      Man Utd vs Burnley: Stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time as EFL Carabao Cup returns

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are back in action as they take on Burnley in the last-16 of the Carabao Cup.The Red Devils beat Aston Villa 4-2 in the last round and are licking their lips at the thought of a spot in the final.
      Garnacho was superb in Man Utd’s 4-2 win over Aston VillaCredit: Reuters
      But they must first play Championship Burnley, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.
      Burnley are also managed by none other than United nemesis Vincent Kompany, who won numerous titles for rivals Manchester City.
      When is Man Utd vs Burnley?

      United’s clash with Burnley will take place on Wednesday, December 21.
      The game will get going from 8pm UK time.
      Man Utd vs Burnley will be held at Old Trafford in Manchester.

      What channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

      Man Utd vs Burnley will be shown live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
      You can live stream the action from the NOW TV and Sky Go app, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Team news
      Both Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane won’t be able to play as they were in action in the World Cup final on Sunday.
      Victor Lindelof should get the nod at centre-back after playing in the clashes against Cadiz and Real Betis.
      Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford will be monitored after returning from World Cup duty last week.
      Diogo Dalot may not feature after picking up an injury in Portugal’s final game against Morocco.
      Most read in Football
      Odds

      Man Utd – 4/11
      Draw – 15/4
      Burnley – 7/1

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      What did Lionel Messi wear to lift the World Cup trophy?

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      LIONEL MESSI cemented himself in the history books as Argentina won the World Cup. Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a frantic 120 minutes of action which finished 3-3 in Qatar.
      Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties in the World Cup finalCredit: AP
      Messi scored twice during the game and then slotted his penalty during the shootout.
      The PSG superstar then stepped up after the game to lift the trophy.
      But just before he got to lift it – he was handed an Arabic robe, known as a Bisht, to wear during the presentation.
      Messi wore the Bisht while lifting the trophy.
      Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani handed Messi the robe, given out as a sign of respect.
      Most read in Sport
      Messi won the Golden Ball of the tournament which is performances, scoring seven in total.
      Two of those came in the final, with his first coming from the penalty spot.
      Kylian Mbappe brought France back into the game and ended the game with an incredible hat-trick. More

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      How much does the World Cup trophy cost and what is it made out of?

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      THE FIFA World Cup is one of the most-viewed sports events in the world.The winner out of Argentina vs France in today’s final gets to lift the prestigious World Cup trophy.
      The current FIFA World Cup trophy was first used in Germany 1974
      What is the World Cup trophy called?
      The current trophy is called the Fifa World Cup Trophy.
      Before Fifa awarded teams with a different trophy called the Jules Rimet trophy.
      It was named after the Fifa President who founded the tournament back in 1929.
      However, in 1974, a new gold trophy was made and was first lifted by Germany as World Cup winners against The Netherlands.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      West Germany scored two goals thanks to Paul Breitner’s penalty and a goal from Gerhard Muller.
      These goals helped make a comeback against The Netherlands who had a penalty scored by Johan Neeskens in the second minute of the final.
      The Fifa World Cup Trophy has been lifted by many great footballers such as Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and Fabio Cannavaro among many others and weighs in at a hefty 6.2kg.
      Fifa’s regulations now state that the trophy, unlike its predecessor, cannot be won outright, with the winners of the tournament receiving a bronze replica.
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      How much gold is in the World Cup trophy?
      The trophy is solid gold, and depicts two figures holding up the world.
      With the base removed, it still weighs over 5kg and the gold is 18-carat.
      It was designed by Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga and beat competition from 53 other submissions.
      How much does the World Cup trophy cost?
      When it was first created, the trophy cost around $50,000.
      However, over time its value increased and is now estimated to cost around $20million.
      Where is the original World Cup trophy?
      As we said before, the original was called the Jules Rimet Trophy and was used between 1930 and 1970.
      Before 1946, it was called Victory, however, the name changed in honour of Jules Rimet.
      Famously stolen in 1966 and then found by Pickles the dog, Bobby Moore lifted the trophy in England’s only World Cup triumph.
      Rimet had stipulated before his death that if a team won the tournament three times they could keep the gong – and Brazil managed to achieve that feat in 1970.
      Sadly the trophy was stolen again in 1983 and it is widely believed that the thieves melted it down. More

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      Who is Argentina’s World Cup hero Gonzalo Montiel?

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      ARGENTINA have WON the World Cup – and they have one very unlikely hero to thank. Lionel Messi and Co beat France 4-2 on penalties to win their first World Cup since 1986 after 120 minutes of action finished 3-3.
      Gonzalo Montiel won the World Cup final for ArgentinaCredit: Getty
      Argentina were the better side for large parts of the game, but a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick pulled them into the incredible game.
      The match eventually went to penalties, where both Messi and Mbappe scored their spot kicks.
      Aurelien Tchouameni and Kinglsey Coman missed their penalties for France.
      And then a hero stepped up for Argentina – Gonzalo Montiel.
      Who is Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel?
      An unlikely match-winner to say the least, Montiel plays his club football for Sevilla as a right-back.
      Montiel started the game on the bench, but came on for Lionel Scaloni’s side in the 91st minute.
      The 25-year-old defended heroically during extra-time, but he gave away the crucial penalty which Mbappe scored to level things at 3-3.
      Most read in Sport
      Montiel, however, had the last laugh as he stepped up to take Argentina’s fourth penalty.
      Cool and collected, Montiel placed the ball to the bottom left of the goal while Hugo Lloris dived the wrong way.
      Montiel began his career with River Plate but moved to Sevilla last year on a three-year deal. More

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      What happens if the golden boot is tied? Do assists count at the World Cup?

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE and Lionel Messi will be determined to fire their nations to World Cup glory this afternoon – but there is another special award on the line too.Messi’s masterclass in the semi-final helped Argentina to a 3-0 pummelling on Croatia.
      Lionel Messi has scored two goals in the World Cup finalCredit: EPA
      And Mbappe’s speed caused the history-making Moroccans all sorts of trouble as France beat the African giants 2-0 in their last-4 tie.
      But on a side note, both players are chasing the World Cup golden boot.
      However, not much separates the Paris Saint-Germain teammates which could leave us with a conundrum on our hands.
      What happens if the golden boot is tied?
      When two or more players finish tied on goals scored during a World Cup, a tiebreaker comes into play.
      Read more on World Cup 2022
      The first tiebreaker will be the number of assists provided by those players in contention for the golden boot.
      And if that cannot separate the goal scorers, then it goes down to minutes played.
      Who is leading the race for the golden boot?
      Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are tied for goals scored in the run-in for the golden boot.
      However, Messi has one more assist which edges him into the lead.
      Most read in Football

      Kylian Mbappe – 8 goals / 2 assists
      Lionel Messi – 7 goals / 3 assists
      Julian Alvarez – 4 goals / 0 assists
      Olivier Giroud – 4 goals / 0 assists More